Short course
Augustine of Hippo: A Controversial Life
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates and time:
12/01/2027 - 23/03/202714:30 - 15:30
Study format:
Online - live
Fees:
£430.00
Born to a Berber mother and a Roman father, Augustine grew up in North Africa in the latter part of the 4th century. His words and ideas, however, influenced not only the development of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire in his era and beyond, but also fields as diverse as semiotics and music, and indeed many of the assumptions and ideas in the world we live in today.
From his early philosophical works, through his Confessions–one of the first texts to capture the journey of the interior life–to his later polemical treatises, Augustine wrote with captivating vividness and astonishing intellectual capacity. In order to get as well-rounded a picture of him as possible, each week will focus on a different role he filled or a controversy he waded into. We will immerse ourselves in the thought world of an ancient and yet surprisingly relatable figure of tremendous influence.
Note: The main primary sources for this course can be found in the book Augustine: In His Own Words by William Harmless. Students are encouraged to obtain a copy of this text.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
This course begins on the 12 Jan 2027 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 19 Jan 2027, 2:30-3:30pm (UK time).
Week 1: Early life and the Confessions
Week 2: The Philosopher
Week 3: The Bishop
Week 4: The Preacher
Week 5: The Exegete
Week 6: Controversy 1: Against the Manichees
Week 7: Controversy 2: Against the Donatists
Week 8: The Theologian: On the Trinity
Week 9: Controversy 3: The City of God, against the pagans
Week 10: Controversy 4: The Pelagians
Course aims
- To gain a deeper understanding of the life and thought of Augustine of Hippo.
- To introduce students to a broad range of works by an influential thinker and theologian.
- To encourage students to go deeper into texts and topics that particularly interest them.
- To experience the reward of reading a thinker’s own words.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
- read a wide range of Augustine’s writings;
- gain insight into the social, cultural, political, and religious context in which he produced these works;
- be able to trace the development of his thought over time.
Level and demands
This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements
IT requirements
Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. To access the virtual learning environment you will be required to verify your identity using an authenticator app on a mobile device or laptop in addition to your username and password. Full instructions will be sent to you on the start date of the course. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.
Teaching methods
This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.
All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Susan Griffith
Dr Griffith is a Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. She specialises in Patristics, early Christianity and Late Antiquity.
Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.
See more information on CATS points
Digital credentials
All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £430.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course:
- The Confessions / Augustine of Hippo
- Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (New Edition with Epilogue) / Brown, Peter
- Augustine: A very short introduction / Chadwick, Henry
- Augustine in his own words / Harmless, William
Module code: O26P804THZ
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